What in the history of Joe Thornton leads you to believe he is unwilling to reduce his role for what is seen as a benefit to the team?

It wouldn't be to benefit the team, that's what I'm telling you. He's a 33 year old superstar without a Cup. Do you think he wants to 1) sit through a rebuild here and hope he can win a Cup on the other side, assuming it works out and 2) relinquish his role, minutes, importance, etc. to a bunch of rookies?

You keep telling me that I have no evidence that he wouldn't be okay with that, but I can't imagine anyone in his scenario, who's used to being the big man on top, sitting through that.

Players don't like when you cut their minutes. Superstars like it less.